Meet Sophia Claire

S and I became an Uncle and an Aunt again, respectively, last Friday, when sister-in-law Kim gave birth their second daughter, Sophia Claire. She weighed 6lb 14oz and was 19.5 inches long. Mother and baby are doing great. They went home on Mother's Day. Here are some photos of her first day.

She looks a lot like big sister Alexandra.
And of course, her mother and father.
Her coloring is a little more "Italian" at this point.



Dad, Mom and Baby.



Big sister Alexandra had a long day, but enjoyed spending time with her grandparents.



Aunt Brooke and baby Sophia


Cousin Andrew


Uncle Michael took his turn checking the little girl out.



Aunt Laura, Kim's sister.


Aunt Kelsey, Kim's other sister.



Tiny toes!



Grandpa checked her out for quite a while.



Here is one of me with the new niece.


And, there's proud Uncle S.

So, as she grows and changes, I'm sure you'll see updates here. It'll be exciting to get to know her and her personality, won't it? We're glad to have met our new niece! Welcome to the world, little one!

See you soon.

6 and One Half Months

For those of you who don't get why pregnancy is counted in weeks, this week equates to 6 and one half months. 26 weeks. So there you go. And, again, overnight it seems, the belly is protruding more than it was previously. S took some progress photos for you and for me. Incidentally, you know why they don't count months, don't you? Because pregnancy is MORE than nine months, my friend. Take 40 weeks and divide it into months...you do the math. Yep, that's right, it's closer to TEN months of gestation. Ahem.

Front view.

Let's see...what updates can I tell you from the last such update. Well, the shirt I'm wearing in the photo came from my friend Kellie. She provided me, very nicely, with some maternity clothes last weekend that she no longer needs. Also in the "gimme" department, I failed to mention in the recent Indiana posts that my niece Amber provided Baby S with two huge bags of hand me downs from her son Rolen. And sister-in-law Brooke gave us another huge bag just the other day. The kid won't be naked, that's what we're sure of. Thank goodness for family and friends!

Also helping with the photos - Ellie.
She wanted to be part of the action.

Also since the last post - turns out I turned myself inside out and into an unnecessary lather about the one hour glucose test. Such a lather, in fact, that I failed it. Probably because of said lather instead of anything else. Hindsight. You see, I was just certain I was going to fail that test. I don't know why. I just was. When the nurse took my blood pressure that afternoon, it was 148/80. My normal blood pressure is 110/70. Or lower. I said to the nurse, "Wow, that's high!" She said, "Yeah, we'll try again in a couple of minutes." Coupla minutes pass, blood pressure is taken again, result is a bit better - 138/80, but still sky high. Also turns out that when your body feels you are stressed, you know what it does? It holds sugar. Nice going, Ate Up. Nice going.

Side view.

So I failed the test and was sent to then take the three hour glucose test the following week. But this test, in addition to being three hours long. THREE HOURS LONG. A THREE HOUR TEST. A THREE HOUR TEST. In addition to that, you have to eat NO SUGAR, mainly protein for three days prior and then you must fast from 10pm the night before you go into the lab at 8:30am. I am here to tell you I am not much on sugar these days, but I do like me some fruit. And an occasional carb. So three protein days were a buzzkill. Then, I will let you imagine what a lovely human I was after no coffee or breakfast. For three hours. Did I mention it was a three hour test? Maybe I did.

S then went all "artistic" on me...a close up.

So they take your blood when you arrive. Then you drink this super sweet orange carbonated liquid. Then they take your blood at one hour. At two hours. At three hours. By the time I got to three hours, sister, I was in no shape to be on this planet. But, I was calm for the test. And I had resolved that if I ended up with gestational diabetes, it wasn't the end of the world. It would be a pain, but it would be alright. You cannot control if you get it, but you can control how you react to it, how you control your diet, etc. If controlled, there is no adverse effect on the baby. And it goes away after the baby is born.

Me, wondering what the heck S is doing.

Back to my state at the end of the test. S wrote me an email asking if I wanted to meet up for lunch. I wrote him back sure, but if he wasn't there when I got to the restaurant, I was starting without him. Then, before he received my email, he phoned me and asked me if I wanted to meet up. At this point what I can only describe as a hunger-pregnancy-no caffeine induced meltdown ensued. I thought he was calling to ask me to wait for him. I said, probably louder than a normal speaking tone, "I said I would like to meet, but I am NOT waiting for you!" He said, "Why are you yelling at me?" Then I said something like, "Do you get what I'm saying man? I am NOT waiting for you - I haven't eaten in FOURTEEN HOURS!!!" (I do want to point out that 14 hours without food is cruel and unusual punishment for a pregnant lady. Thank you.) Tears started gushing from my eyes. I started repeating, "Do you get what I'm saying?" I was now in a full-on bawling session, driving down the road to eat. I think he got that I was not rational at that moment. He met me...and had tea, since I had already eaten. God bless him. I think he loves me.

Me, asking what he's doing. "Being artistic," he said.

OK, so this story is getting way too long, but I waited for the results the next day which I was sure were going to confirm gestational diabetes...meaning dietitians, food journals, finger pricks for the next three months. But the nurse called. And it turns out I don't have it. Amen. I'm moving on and am so thankful!

Orchids and lemons...how unique and fabulous!

Also in the "I think he loves me!" category...Monday S sent flowers to my place of employment. Why? Wait for it...for MOTHER'S DAY! Awwwwwww! So I could enjoy them all week. What a doll. I wasn't really expecting a Mother's Day gift - I mean, I am not yet a MOTHER and all, but it was such a wonderfully sweet, loving, kind gesture. And sister, I'm enjoying the heck out of those flowers.

So there's the update. On this topic.
Once again. See you soon.

A Wedding

Saturday we attended a wedding of some friends of ours from undergraduate days at SMU. Juliana and Alex - they didn't meet while they were at SMU, but rather at alumni gatherings just a few years ago. And now they are married. Here are some highlights - something was amiss with the camera - hope it's not going downhill again - don't think so - just think this crazy photographer needs to check her settings more regularly. Anyway...here we go!

Our pew at the church.
Kevin and Kellie, Tricia and Wayne, S on the other end.

As people arrived to our pew, I made them move on in, and I kept the aisle seat so I could take some photos. Rabid photo taker I am, they all obliged. But S ended up on the other end!

Awaiting the bride.


And then she came right on down the aisle near me with her dad!
Score on the bride photo!


Advice was given, vows were said, rings were exchanged.


Then they were official. Mr. and Mrs.
Blurry photo by me, of course.


Tricia, me and Kellie at the reception.

I thought this was a good photo of all three of us, no? Just strange yellowness because of the camera settings. We have not all become jaundiced. Don't call the physician just yet. We're all fine.

Beautiful flowers...


...beautiful cake...




...proof the groom did go to SMU and was in the band!


The reception was SRO!


Here are the hubbies...no they aren't jaundiced either.
Kevin (Kellie), Wayne (Tricia) and of course, my S.


S grabbed the camera and turned on the flash...


...I was telling him to turn off the flash here. Clearly.


Then, S and I took at turn at jaundiced together.

Yes, S has new specs. Nice, huh? Very Euro-forward, no? Or something. I think they look nice on him whatever the style is supposed to be.

A quickly snapped shot of the new Mr. and Mrs.


And one of Kellie and S with them.
Kellie, Alex and S were all in the same class.

So there you have it! The tainted highlights of a beautiful affair. Tainting by me, beauty by the newly wedded couple. May they enjoy years and years of happiness. All the best to Juliana and Alex!

See you soon.

End of 24th Week Belly Update

I had my monthly doctor's appointment last Wednesday. These "routine" appointments include a weight check, heartbeat check and tummy measurement. Then they go over certain things each time that you should be doing in between appointments. And, this month, I got to take the gestational diabetes test. Fun! I also get a few minutes with the doctor to ask questions.

So, weight and tummy. Last month, I had gained two pounds total. I thought, given my clearly growing belly, the weight gain would begin in earnest this month. I mean, last week, jeans that fit on Sunday didn't fit AT ALL on Friday. Amazing to me!

It helps the "look" to wear a maternity shirt, no?

Turns out I LOST a pound overall, taking me back to a total gain of one pound. Or basically flat. But, my tummy is measuring well within NORMAL range, so my doctor isn't concerned about the weight gain. Basically, baby is gaining and I have, so far, lost overall.

Heartbeat was again strong and he even kicked the doctor a couple of times for good measure. He certainly likes to kick!

Side view - definitely sticking out more!

My assignment before next month's appointment - sign up for a childbirth class, pre-register at the hospital and sign up with a pediatrician. OK. Got it.

And, in the mail this week, I received the cutest invitation for the first Dallas shower...so sweet! I can't wait to see everyone there.

And next month we get to have a 3D sonogram of the little guy. That'll be fun! But, I also have to start rotating to other doctors in the office, in case one of them is on call when I go into labor. I chose my doctor because she's a girl. This office has three girls and one boy doctor. I meet the boy doctor next month. And, I hope I like him, because I'm pretty sure it'll be my luck he'll be on call when Mr. Man decides to make his entrance. Ha.

So, you are now up to date. On this topic. Once again. See you soon!

The Whirlwind Continued!

The next stop was here!

The Felege Hiywot Center is a mission founded by my mom's good friend Aster. You pronounce her name "Ah-stair" - like Fred Astaire. One time Deacon couldn't remember her name and he asked mom if he had seen "Step" lately. It took her a minute, but she figured out "Step" was Aster - step and "a stair" to a four year old are pretty darn close objects. Funny.

Aster and Mom (still in race gear, of course!)

Anyway, when Aster, who is originally from Ethiopia, and worked at the same company my mom worked for, retired, she started this mission. This is their mission statement:

We, the Felege Hiywot Center, serve urban youth of Indianapolis, second generation Ethiopians in Indianapolis, and orphans in Ethiopia. We teach gardening and environmental preservation. We encourage youth to embrace the virtues of community service. We perform this mission as an expression of our Christian faith.

The urban youth part - the gardening part - has really taken off and she has become an integral, important part of the community in which she serves.

And people are taking notice - people with money - at the difference she is making there. Which only allows her to do more things. In fact, that very morning we stopped by, a huge group from "Keep Indianapolis Beautiful" had come to volunteer their time and the mayor of Indianapolis even stopped by. It's a good thing she and her crew are doing. A very good thing.

They started with these two small, dilapidated houses.
And they did their work in them, no complaints.



Along with the gardening in the plot next door.



But one of the houses has been fully restored.
And is now a decent place to work.


A semi-commercial kitchen in back.


Looking from the kitchen toward the front door.


The seedlings for this summer's garden.
Equipment donated by Purdue.


A volunteer re-created the rick-rack above the door,
and included "FHC" for the name of the mission.


They collect all the water they need for the garden from the rain that falls.

I was very impressed indeed with Aster's organization. If you live in Indianapolis and are looking for a good place to spend your volunteer time, I would highly recommend checking them out. While we were there, Aster also gave me a baby gift. Very, very sweet.

After we left the Filege Hiywot Center, we stopped for a bite of lunch and then I had an appointment with my pillow. I took a two hour nap! After the nap, we headed to my brother Steve's house for dinner with his family and with my Unk and cousin Lori and her son Isaiah. It was a good place to meet because the kids could run and play outside and we could sit indoors and visit. I took no photos of this gathering. I am falling down on my duties.

But, the BIG NEWS at this event was that my sister-in-law Terri - the one who hosted the shower chronicled yesterday - is PREGNANT with their fourth child! That's right - that takes my pregnant sister-in-law count to THREE and the 2010 baby count to FOUR. Crazy! She's due in mid-November and hasn't decided if they will find out the sex before it's born. I'll keep you posted. The kids are all very excited about the impending new baby, which they have nicknamed, "Branch" - like, you know, a new branch of the family tree.

Sunday brought more activity. I woke up early and packed my luggage. Then I headed to church, where Steve and Terri announced baby four to the congregation and my mom was commissioned along with the rest of a team of people from their church for a mission trip to New Orleans they will take starting this Saturday. That was a long sentence.

After church, I headed back to Dad and Torchy's to observe the annual Easter Egg Hunt, eat good food and visit with more fabulous family. I did take a few photos of this one.

Easter baskets, as it turns out, make GREAT hats.
Nathon and Deacon pictured here.


After the baskets were handed out, there were a series of rules announced before mass pandemonium set in.


The two littlest hunters had a smaller, more manageable space set aside for them.
Kylie pictured here.


The eggs could hide but they couldn't run.


Cora, who has just a TINGE of drama in her personality,
was not in the mood for egg hunting, it seems.


A sizable hunt continued until all the eggs were found.

After the hunt was over and the dust settled, it was pretty much time to head back to the airport to fly home. One fabulous weekend under my belt, I hated to go, but was glad I had the opportunity to make it to Indy. It was wonderful.

I have more stuff to ramble on about - hope to see you again soon, perhaps with a belly shot update. It's growing, I'll tell you that. It's growing. See you then.